Feral/TNR

KHS Feral Cats & Trap/Neuter/Return Services

What is a Feral Cat?

According to the ASPCA, a feral cat is a cat born and raised in the wild, or who has been abandoned or lost and reverted to wild ways in order to survive, and is considered a free roaming or feral cat.

While some feral cats tolerate a bit of human contact, most are too fearful and wild to be handled. Ferals often live in groups, called colonies, and take refuge wherever they can find food: rodents and other small animals and garbage. They will also try to seek out abandoned buildings, deserted cars, even dig holes in the ground to keep warm in winter months and cool during the summer heat.

We provide spay/neuter services for nearly 500 feral cats annually and work with local TNR groups like Friends of Felines.

What is TNR?

Trap/Neuter/Return (commonly known as TNR) is the method of humanely trapping feral cats, having them spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies and then returning them to their colony to live out their lives. TNR also involves a colony caretaker who provides food, adequate shelter and monitors the cats’ health. TNR has been shown to be the least costly as well as the most efficient and humane way of stabilizing feral cat populations.

You may rent a humane trap from the Kansas Humane Society for $2 day(a $90 refundable deposit is required) by calling 316-524-9196 or through our Admissions department during business hours.

Bringing a Feral Cat to KHS

You no longer need to make an appointment to bring a feral cat to us. Bring the cat to us between 7:30am and 8am in a live trap (1 cat per trap). You may pick the cat up between 4 and 5 pm that day. Only 5 ferals are accepted Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday on a first come, first serve basis. No feral cats will be accepted on scheduled TNR Sundays. Please check our calendar for these dates.

Beginning January 1, 2018, all ferals will also be required to receive an ear tip.

How Much Does it Cost?

Thanks in part to a generous grant from the Bernice Barbour Foundation, we are able to offer spay/neuter services for $60 per cat.